May 18, 2019

How to Make Easy No-Sew Key Fobs



We first saw this project on Starfish Designs Embroidery on Facebook. These are a fast and inexpensive way to use up your scrap vinyl, leather or cork fabric.  Anything that won't fray can be used no-sew.  You can also use regular fabric but will need to sew the edges for a cleaner look.



Materials needed:

 - Sewing/embroidery vinyl strip.  Make width slightly smaller than the width of your lobster clasp and split ring.  6" length is all that's needed, but if your vinyl is thin or flimsy, double it to 12".

 - Swivel hook lobster clasp & split ring.  1" is used in tutorial.  Split rings could be used on both ends, or d-rings -- whatever you have available is fine!

- Sewing clips (optional).

- Hole punch dies, awl, or anything that can form a hole in your material for the rivet.

 - 1 set of rivets.  8mm double cap rivets are used in the tutorial.

 - A press tool compatible with the above dies. If you're using KX-series dies from KAMsnaps, you'll need one of these presses:
How to Make Easy No-Sew Vinyl Key Fob Tutorial

If you're using a 12" strip, fold it in half first.
How to Make Easy No-Sew Vinyl Key Fob Tutorial


Loop one end of the strip through the lobster clasp.
How to Make Easy No-Sew Vinyl Key Fob Tutorial


Loop the other end of the strip through the split ring.
Overlap the 2 ends about 1/2" with the cut end tucked beneath the folded end.
How to Make Easy No-Sew Vinyl Key Fob Tutorial


Use sewing clips to hold in place.
How to Make Easy No-Sew Vinyl Key Fob Tutorial


Punch hole for rivet.
How to Make Easy No-Sew Vinyl Key Fob Tutorial
How to Make Easy No-Sew Vinyl Key Fob Tutorial


Slip stem of rivet through hole.
How to Make Easy No-Sew Vinyl Key Fob Tutorial


Place cap over stem.
There should be a click when the cap snaps over the stem.
How to Make Easy No-Sew Vinyl Key Fob Tutorial


Secure the rivet with the press.
How to Make Easy No-Sew Vinyl Key Fob Tutorial


Voila! Easy peasy.


Note: the pink key fob on the left was made using a crystal rhinestone rivet, which requires a crystal rivet die.

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